Practical Nursing
Practical Nursing
Prepare for a rewarding career as a licensed practical nurse through hands-on learning, clinical experience, and NMCC’s state-of-the-art simulation center.
Become an essential member of the health care team
Practical nurses are integral members of the health care team and function under the direct or indirect supervision of an experienced registered nurse.
NMCC’s Practical Nursing certificate program is designed to prepare students to become licensed practical nurses. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam upon completion of the program.
A direct path into nursing
Licensed practical nurses provide essential care in hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, home health care, physicians’ offices, and other health care settings.
$62,340
median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses nationally, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
54,400
projected openings each year for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses across the country over the decade.
9 months
to complete NMCC’s Practical Nursing certificate program and prepare for the NCLEX-PN exam.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses.
Program highlights
- 9-month program
- Develop the knowledge and skills needed to provide nursing care throughout a patient’s lifetime.
- Gain hands-on learning experience in health care facilities, NMCC’s nursing lab, and the campus simulation center.
- Build a career pathway toward NMCC’s Associate Degree Nursing program, with potential LPN advanced standing after at least one year of work experience as an LPN.
- Reduce debt, with many students leaving NMCC debt free.
Simulation education on campus
At Northern Maine Community College, students learn in a realistic, hospital-like environment through NMCC’s Nursing Simulation Center. The facility features advanced simulation rooms with interactive mannequins, including the globally rare Pediatric Hal, and dedicated control rooms for instructors to oversee and record scenarios.
Students benefit from real-time feedback and skill refinement in debriefing classrooms that offer live observation and recorded playback of simulations. The center also includes a comprehensive nursing skills lab, a medical assisting lab, and essential areas such as a waiting room and patient registration zone.
This hands-on training helps students bridge theory and practice in a safe, risk-free learning environment.
Career pathways and employment opportunities
After becoming an LPN, practical nurses may continue their education toward an Associate Degree in Nursing to become a registered nurse. From there, nurses may pursue a bachelor’s degree, management-level roles, or graduate education to become a nurse practitioner, teacher, or department leader.
- Hospitals
- Physician offices
- Long-term care facilities
- Home health care services
- Travel nursing opportunities
Program resources
Accreditation information
Effective July 7, 2022, this nursing program is a candidate for initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. This candidacy status expires on July 7, 2024.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
www.acenursing.com/candidates/candidacy.asp
Not ready to apply yet?
Connect with our team to learn more about the Practical Nursing program, admissions requirements, financial aid, and next steps.
Ready to take the next step?
Prepare for a meaningful career in nursing and build a pathway toward future advancement in health care. Create an account below and apply today with no cost!